âSheâs just a young, naive girl.
Probably manipulated by the AN Group to disrupt our familyâs harmony.
And letâs not forget, her boyfriend is a count in Zephyria.
Let her roam Peace Mountain for a bit, then send her packing from Cadiered.
â
Lucinda pressed her red lips together, tightening her hold on his chin.
âYouâre unusually benevolent toward her.
Donât think I donât see through you.
Youâve never defended an outsider like this before.
â
Graham remained silent.
Observing his composed countenance, Lucinda seethed.
She trusted her intuition, contemplating increasing the severity of punishment.
âYou professed a desire to atone for your transgression.
You requested to be disciplined alongside Valerie, insisting on enduring additional lashes to demonstrate your devotion to her.
Henceforth, you shall receive twenty lashes every afternoon.
Following that, you may resume your studies and transcription duties.
â
Grahamâs complexion paled, his eyes betraying sorrow and guilt.
âAlright, Iâll heed your words.
â
Lucinda despised his feigned compliance, releasing her grip on his chin.
She lowered her striking yet icy countenance, querying him, âMr.
Simmons, moments ago, Nala whispered to you.
What did she say?â
Grahamâs face was a canvas of bitterness, his eyes shimmering with a sarcastic Light.
Yet, this sarcasm was directed inward, a self-mockery.
âAnswer me.
You know the rules well-enough.
Surely, you havenât forgotten your duty to respond truthfully to me, the master of the Simmons family?â Lucinda hissed.
Her fingers gently but firmly Lifted his chin, her gaze piercing into his.
Graham remained silent, his mind wandering to Nalaâs parting words.
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âI stood up for you today.
But with Lucinda on her way, I doubt sheâll let you be.
Wonât you consider joining my cause?â
Nala must have anticipated Lucindaâs arrival, her words a deliberate spark aimed at the tender bonds of sibling loyalty.
This realization brought a throbbing ache to Grahamâs temples, yet he chose silence.
âYouâve withheld the truth.
It seems youâve sided with her.
â Lucinda sneered.
Her frustration surged, yet she composed herself, releasing his chin with a composed grace.
Her scornful smile was a mask of disdain.
âYouâre truly her loyal brother, arenât you? No matter her plight, youâre there, shielding her.
Imagine, Graham, if Valerie and I were both under threat, a gun pointed at our heads, and you, with just a single bullet, had to choose.
Who would you save? Her or me?â
Tears brimmed in Grahamâs eyes as he witnessed the disillusionment in hers.
He reached out, attempting to bridge the distance.
âLucindaâ¦â
But she retreated, widening the physical and emotional chasm between them.
The tea table that lay between them symbolized a divide too vast to close.